2023•Simon Fraser University

Beam Buddy

A flashlight toy designed for ease of use and to help alleviate fear of the dark

Product Design3D DesignUX Research

Team

Teammate

Duration

October - November

Role

UX Designer, 3D Designer, Graphic Designer

Overview

Beam Buddy is a kid-friendly flashlight designed for children around the age of 6. Created as part of a design challenge to build a functional, appealing, and durable product, the concept centered around ease of use, child-safe materials, and playful aesthetics.

The Problem

Traditional flashlights are often too bulky, fragile, or unintuitive for young children. The goal of this project was to develop a flashlight that children could easily grasp, operate, and enjoy, while also being able to withstand rough handling.

Solution

We developed Beam Buddy, a flashlight inspired by the shape and ergonomics of a child’s toy camera. The design focused on three key aspects:

  • Form Factor: Easy-to-hold shape for small hands, and easy-to-use with intuitive pointing and a large “on/off” button.
  • Material Choices: Durable and child-safe.
  • Playful Aesthetic: Bright colours and a friendly, approachable design.

Projected Results

  • Child-friendly Interface: The camera-inspired design makes it easier for children to intuitively aim and use the flashlight and may even spark an interest in photogrpahy.
  • Improved Durability: The thoughtful material selection ensures the product can withstand drops and rough play.
  • Appealing Aesthetic: Simple and colourful design would encourage frequent use by our users.

My Contribution

Discovery & Research

  • Created a relevant child persona to document our research and craft the typical user of this product.
  • Analyzed toy safety standards and common material choices in children's products to ensure the design was durable and child-safe.
  • Researched similar products, including toy cameras and handheld electronics, to inspire intuitive interaction patterns.

Design

  • Created multiview sketches to visualize form and construction details.
  • Built a 3D-rendered version for final presentation, integrating illustrations for storytelling support and highlighting key product features.

Key Takeaways

  • Researching about the tendencies of your user requires special attention to ergonomics, simplicity, and safety.
  • Constructing a 3D rendered version of the product is an effective strategy for visualizing an idea.

Next Project

View Next Project